Mar 13 2008
Maine Developer Makes Impressive Amends
Wow! … is all I can say after reading a story in the Bangor Daily News about an Ellsworth-area developer who has turned over what looks like a totally new leaf after violating EPA regs while building a new development in wetlands near Acadia National Park.
Apparently Ray Builders discharged waste into wetlands around the Union River, and got caught by the EPA. On his own, Robert Ray not only paid the civil fine to the EPA, he also donated 17 acres near downtown Ellsworth as a conservation easement to offset the wetlands damage. That land will be protected from all future development… how nice for Ellsworth!
On top of all that, he’s also funding a 3-year program to control invasive species in a freshwater wetland area of Acadia, an $87,000 expenditure over 3 years. I’d say that’s pretty impressive for a developer to do that!
One of the allures of Acadia is its natural flora and fauna, so anything that helps preserve that is certainly welcome. You can get the whole experience of Acadia in the Acadia Auto Tour.
Written by Kathi
